Arla Foods Ingredients unveils ‘Easy Bite’ to redefine protein bar texture and nutrition

Arla Foods Ingredients has introduced a new concept designed to help protein bar manufacturers create healthier, better-tasting products without the texture challenges that often plague high-protein formulations.

Making its debut at SupplySide Global in Las Vegas on 29-30 October, Easy Bite is a bite-size protein snack made using Arla’s customized whey protein solution, Lacprodan EasyBar. Each 18g piece delivers up to 40% high-quality protein, is high in fiber, and contains no added sugar, fat, or maltitol. Despite its clean label and short ingredient list, the snack maintains a soft texture throughout a two-year shelf life – an issue that has long limited innovation in the protein bar market.

Peter Schouw Andersen, Senior Director, Performance Nutrition at Arla Foods Ingredients, said the concept was designed to align with key consumer and market trends. “We’ve created this concept to respond to the biggest trends in the protein bar market. Taste and texture are still king but health considerations are increasingly important – for younger consumers in particular,” he said. “Easy Bite meets all these needs, offering a high-protein, low-fat, fiber-rich option that retains its softness without the need for a long ingredients list. We hope it will create exciting new opportunities for protein bar innovation.”

According to HealthFocus International’s 2024 report A new world of snacking, 90% of global consumers consider snacking an essential part of their daily routine, with health now a central factor in purchasing decisions. That shift has opened new opportunities for brands to deliver convenient, nutritionally balanced products that don’t compromise on indulgence.

The Easy Bite concept aims to fill that space by offering a stable, nutrient-rich alternative to traditional protein bars, many of which suffer from hardening over time or rely on ingredients like collagen to retain softness. Arla Foods Ingredients’ proprietary whey protein technology eliminates that need, ensuring consistent texture and quality throughout the product’s shelf life.

Visitors to SupplySide Global will be able to sample Easy Bite at Booth #6425, alongside two additional Arla Foods Ingredients concepts that reflect the company’s broader innovation in functional protein applications.

The first is a protein soda tailored to the growing “better-for-you” beverage category. Using Lacprodan BLG-100, the drink contains 10g of high-quality protein and no sugar, catering to consumers seeking hydration with added nutritional benefits.

The second, Refreshed in Seconds, showcases Lacprodan ISO.RefreshShake, a new whey protein isolate for clear shakes. Delivering 20g of protein per 300ml (10oz) serving, it offers a refreshing taste with fast foam breakdown – a key quality marker for ready-to-drink sports and lifestyle beverages.

All three concepts illustrate how Arla Foods Ingredients is leveraging its dairy expertise to expand the functional protein landscape. From sports and performance nutrition to everyday wellness products, the company’s solutions aim to combine sensory appeal with clean, efficient formulations.

Headquartered in Viby, Denmark, Arla Foods Ingredients is a 100% owned subsidiary of Arla Foods and serves global brands in early life, medical, and sports nutrition, as well as health foods and mainstream food and beverage categories. Through its discover and deliver approach, the company partners with research institutions, NGOs, and manufacturers worldwide to advance evidence-based nutrition.

By focusing on science-backed innovation and ingredient simplicity, Arla Foods Ingredients continues to strengthen its position as a global leader in premium nutrition. Its latest showcase, Easy Bite, highlights how that commitment is shaping the next generation of protein bars – where taste, texture, and nutritional value can finally coexist.